File No. 812.00/19093
Special Commissioner Lane to the Secretary of State
Joint Commission met this morning and remained in session three hours. Cabrera submitted interesting information concerning present conditions in Mexico, maintaining withdrawal American troops necessary prerequisite to reestablishment of normal conditions in Mexico and that presence of troops arouses distrust of intentions of the United States, and prevents full use of Mexican army for the pursuit of bandits. He stated that instructions of Carranza were first to take up the immediate, concrete and practicable problems, of which withdrawal of troops and border protection were most important, thence to proceed to other international and economic problems involved in Mexican situation. Much interesting information elicited through questions put to Mexican Commissioners by American members. Cabrera goes to Boston this afternoon. Next session will be held Friday morning, at which border situation will be more fully discussed.
[Note.—The Commission held numerous sessions but did not conclude its deliberations during 1916. Report of the Commission will be printed in For. Rel. 1917.]